Chapter 107: Chapter 107

The sudden increase in high-level dungeon appearances had left the world in turmoil.

Hunter fatalities were climbing steadily, and support mages remained critically scarce.

Even globally, the highest rank for a support mage was A-rank, and those could be counted on one hand. Their value and importance only grew with time.

Amid this chaotic backdrop, an unexpected announcement sent shockwaves across the world:

[South Korea’s Ultra-Rare Returner Emerges!]

[“Unmeasurable Rank.” Official Announcement from the Hunter Bureau—Who is Jeong Si-Hyun?]

[A Seismic Shift in the Hunter Industry—Global Focus on Jeong Si-Hyun!]

[The World Reacts: Is South Korea Writing a New Chapter in Hunter History?]

The news caused an uproar. It was as if a storm had swept through the globe. The entire world was abuzz, and South Korea was burning with excitement, as though its summer heat had been outmatched by sheer national pride.

It was electrifying.

"Hunter associations and guilds overseas are in chaos, lol."

"Unmeasurable rank? What does that even mean?"

"Is this real? Sounds way too exaggerated."

When the news first broke, skepticism ran rampant. It seemed too sudden, too grand in scale to be believable.

But then—

"Yes, that’s correct. Honestly, I didn’t expect to lose so badly. I’d love a rematch someday."

This statement came from Jason Turner, the famous S-rank Hunter from the United States, during an interview.

Jason, known for his unmatched prowess as a Tank and his obsession with combat, admitted outright that he couldn’t defeat Jeong Si-Hyun in a one-on-one fight.

The impact of this interview was colossal. Jason Turner was a globally renowned Hunter, ranked among the top five Tanks in the world and unrivaled in close-quarters combat. His admission sent shockwaves across the industry.

"WTF, she wrecked Jason Turner?!"

"Damn, she must be a beast in combat, lol."

"Is there a video? I NEED to see this!"

And of course, the video was released.

The Hunter Bureau, working in collaboration with Si-Hyun, had filmed and edited footage of their secret S-rank dungeon raid, showcasing their success.

["Ji-Ah, are you ready?"]

["Why? What’s wrong? Oh, pose for the camera!"]

["Ugh… okay…"]

The footage included a scene in front of the S-rank dungeon gate after the raid. Si-Hyun, linked arm-in-arm with Ji-Ah, shyly smiled and flashed a V-sign with her fingers. Her understated charm exuded a level of allure that left many viewers utterly captivated.

The dungeon raid itself? Even more incredible.

"Wait, they cleared an S-rank dungeon as a duo?"

"Jeong Si-Hyun and Kim Ji-Ah finished it in less than half a day?!"

"And they did it without a scouting team? They just went in blind?! Lol, world first!"

"Whoever imagined a two-person S-rank raid is living their dream, hahaha."

The excitement online was palpable.

This wasn’t just a success; it was a world-first accomplishment: an S-rank dungeon cleared by a two-person team.

But the surprises didn’t stop there.

The Hunter Bureau revealed another piece of information in the video—Jeong Si-Hyun was the mysterious nun figure whose identity had remained veiled until now.

The flood of revelations didn’t let up. News outlets worldwide raced to cover Jeong Si-Hyun’s story, and South Korea basked in the glory of this moment.

"Our country is finally safe from high-level dungeons!"

"The national pride is overwhelming… I can’t take it!"

However, not everyone was on Si-Hyun’s side. Chief among her critics was Professor Yoo.

"Do you see this arm?! She could have saved me but chose not to!"

Having barely survived by being carried out by a student, Yoo lashed out in interviews with venomous accusations.

"Look at these bruises on my side! That woman KICKED me! She’s nothing but a monster!"

His furious words and dramatic gestures did little to sway public opinion.

"Did anyone see the photos? Si-Hyun looked like a real teacher heroically stepping in before and after the dungeon raid."

"She’s seriously the ideal professor, lol."

"I want to see her smiling face, too…"

"Lol, and Yoo trolled the team? Where’s his conscience?"

"Cool-headed with villains, warm-hearted with students—Jeong Si-Hyun is a legend, lol."

Public sentiment remained firmly in Si-Hyun’s favor.

Yoo’s rants only tarnished his reputation further, and as more details of his actions inside the dungeon came to light through interviews with students and professors, the backlash grew.

Ultimately, Yoo was forced to resign in disgrace, marking the end of his career.

But the ripple effects didn’t end there.@@novelbin@@

"Honestly, Cheongrim Guild’s been losing its appeal lately."

"Right? They’ve always had their strengths, but their weaknesses are glaring now."

"I’m seriously thinking of joining a different guild."

"Same here."

Within the Academy, students began avoiding the Cheongrim Guild—a direct result of Yoo’s actions and the guild’s association with him.

Jeong Si-Hyun hadn’t done anything to actively target Cheongrim, but her mere presence was enough to shake their standing. Given Cheongrim’s reliance on recruiting new talent, this shift in student sentiment was a devastating blow.

Meanwhile, Da-Young and the Wing Guild were practically throwing daily celebrations.

Si-Hyun, who kept in touch with them regularly, couldn’t help but share in their good spirits.

She even participated in a formal interview with the Hunter Bureau, where she boldly declared:

"Unless you have a personal connection to me, I will not accept any direct contact or requests. All inquiries should go through the South Korean Hunter Bureau."

Her resolute tone left no room for misinterpretation. Backed by Si-Hyun’s growing influence, the Bureau’s prestige skyrocketed. Team Leader Ko Jae-Yoon and Section Chief Jang Han-Soo, now practically guaranteed promotions, couldn’t stop smiling.

A Few Days Later

On the final lecture day before midterms at the Academy, students taking Monster Studies were wide-eyed in surprise.

"Ahem, ahem…"

Professor Jeong Si-Hyun had arrived wearing a pencil skirt suit for the first time.

Chaos ensued.

***

“Alright, let’s see…”

It was a lazy weekend lunchtime.

Leaning comfortably back on the sofa, I sat with my legs slightly curled up.

The summer homewear dress I was wearing felt cool and soft against my skin. Si-Yoon had been wearing it around the house, and out of curiosity, I’d asked her about it. She immediately fetched another one for me, saying it was mine.

Apparently, this had been part of that whirlwind shopping spree from a while ago.

“Not bad at all.”

Though it felt a bit airy below, it was surprisingly comfortable.

It was proof, perhaps, that I was adapting well to this lifestyle.

I liked the soft texture and the cozy fit. At home, this was now my second skin.

“Hmmm…”

As I fiddled with the hem that barely reached above my knees, I mentally reviewed past events and upcoming plans.

The Academy lectures had wrapped up without any issues.

The final exams had been managed smoothly, thanks to Professor Noh lending me a teaching assistant.

Even the optional supplementary lectures I conducted—despite not being tied to grades—saw full attendance!

Grading and entering scores would only take a day, so I could handle it later.

Now, there were only two important matters left on my agenda:

Meeting Evan Harper, who kept saying he’d come but hadn’t shown up yet.

Taking a trip to Japan when the S-rank dungeon generation frenzy hit its peak.

…Though I felt slightly guilty about the second one.

As long as I returned before the dungeon situation spiraled out of control, I could clean it all up in one go.

Besides, Section Chief Jang Han-Soo had promised to call if the situation became truly urgent.

While the world outside was buzzing with chaos, the eye of the storm—our home—remained calm and serene, as if nothing had happened.

It was exactly the kind of life I had dreamed of.

Now, all I had to do was protect this peace.

And maybe help the world a little on the side.

Gulp, gulp—

I sipped the iced coffee on the table in front of me. The clean bitterness of the Americano lingered on my tongue.

A single bead of condensation dripped from the cold container, dampening the thin fabric of my dress.

I lightly rubbed the wet spot with my finger. It felt soft. The dampness quickly disappeared.

Just then, the bathroom door opened, and Si-Yoon emerged.

“Ugh, it’s so hot already…”

I naturally averted my gaze.

Wrapped in a towel after her shower, Si-Yoon headed to her room.

Only after she disappeared did I relax and look forward again.

…Seeing someone else’s body still felt a bit awkward. I guess that’s just who I am.

A short while later, with her hair partially dried, Si-Yoon returned to the living room.

“Unnie, I’m bored!”

“Really? Want to watch TV?”

“TV only shows your face these days.”

“Well… that’s true.”

At first, my sister had been fascinated, but her interest hadn’t lasted long.

She seemed desensitized already.

“Should we watch a variety show, then? Hmm, what to do…”

Thump.

Si-Yoon plopped down beside me on the sofa, resting her chin lightly on my shoulder.

“Unnie, when we move, we’ll crank the AC all the way up, right?”

“Of course! I’m making enough money to not worry about utility bills.”

“Hehe, can’t wait.”

Smiling brightly, Si-Yoon lifted her chin off my shoulder and slid down, resting her head on my lap.

“I just showered with cold water, so doesn’t it feel nice and cool?”

Her playful face asked the question.

I responded with a soft chuckle, keeping my reaction low-key.

I’d learned by now that if I reacted awkwardly, she’d start teasing me.

“Hmph…”

Sure enough, she puffed her cheeks in mock disappointment.

I poked her cheek lightly with my finger before picking up my phone.

Right then, it rang. Perfect timing.

It was Section Chief Jang Han-Soo.

“Yes, hello?”

I answered immediately, and he got straight to the point.

“Oh, really? Finally, huh?”

The call was brief.

It was about Evan Harper, the first-ever returner and a B-rank Hunter from the United States.

He was finally coming to Korea.

To meet me.